How we report
Keep Up Local is built to be checked. These are the rules we hold ourselves to.
Records first
Every story is anchored to something verifiable: a court filing, a municipal document, a planning board record, a recorded deed, an audit, or an official statement. Where we rely on a record, we name it. Where a record is incomplete or our reading is uncertain, we say so.
Careful language is accurate language
On the Accountability Desk we write "alleged," "charged with," "accused of," "according to public records," "investigators said," and "court documents state." These are not hedges. They are precise descriptions of what a record establishes — and what it does not.
- Charges are allegations. A charge reflects what the state intends to prove, not a finding of fact.
- We do not declare guilt. Anyone accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise in court.
- Audits and findings are not verdicts. A documentation gap flags risk; it does not, by itself, prove misuse.
- Patterns are not conclusions. Tracing ownership or influence shows structure, not intent.
What we are not
We are not a crime blotter and not a gossip page. We do not run unverified tips, anonymous accusation, or sensational framing. We cover misconduct only where it intersects with development, land use, construction, contracts, or redevelopment — and only on the record.
Corrections
We correct errors promptly and visibly. If you believe something we published is inaccurate, tell us, and point us to the record.